Die



Qc t.-2, 1945. 1.. G. FREEMAN, JR

DIE

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1938 INVENTOR OI/A5 QFREEMJM /6.

v Qimhm) ATTORNEY Oct 2, 1945. I G. FREEMAN, JR 6, 0

DIE

Original Filed Oct. 18, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR oU/s @FREEMIMJR BY Q a: (Edw' ATTORNEY Oct. 2 1945. L. G. FREEMAN, JR

5 sheets-sheet 3 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1938 r ll Illlll .///lllllllll'.

IIIIIIII Hill-I; mums nnnlllluu 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'IIIAII 1.111111!" v INVENTOR A 00/6 6. Fifi/1174f. J P.

ATTORNEY 0ct. 2, 1945; N, JR 2,386,102

DIE

I Original-Filed Oct. 18, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY 7 f' l RJVWLMw ramoww ATTORNEY Oct. 2, 1945.

L G. FREEMAN, JR

DIE

Original Filed Oct. 18, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 2, 1945 man, Cincinnati, Ohio;

. Original application October 18,"1938,Serial No. 235,672. Divided and this application :Septem her 20,1941,SerialNo.411,754g 7 Claims. (01.101487) This invention relates to shoemachinery, and

more particularly to improvements in dies for use in ornamenting shoe uppers and shoe parts by the formation of cut-outs or perforations in portions thereof, and also by the application of printed markings.

The instant case is a division of the application of Louis G. Freeman, Jr., Serial No. 235,672, filed October 18, 1938, for Die, and relates particularly to a die assemblage having a gauge means which is interchangeable and replaceable in the assemblage, in accordance with replacements and interchanges which may be made in the ornamenting elements of the die sections proper.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is a type of die adapted for operations upon skins, upper blanks, fitted or closed uppers and the like, in which the work is marked with ink or pigment at the same time, or as a part of the cycle of operations, during which the work is also ornamented by the perforating or cutting out of a design or ornamental opening therein. The markings a plied to the work may take the form of permanent ornamentation such as simuco-pending application, Serial No. 104,696, filed October 8, 1936, now'Patent' No. 2,183,038, dated December 12, 1939, which dies are especially adaptable for use in the type of machine described and claimed in the copending application of Benjamin W. Freeman, Serial No. 200,217, filed April 5, 1938.

With many types of work, the pressure requirements for ornamentin and for stripping the work from the cutting elementsof the die are very heavy, and machines referred to in said applications are particularly designed to meet such requirements, particularly with relation to the stripping of the work from thedie.

Conventional strippers include some mechanism directly associated with the die unit, such as a-stripper plate mounted on springs which serve normally to maintain the stripper plate in a position slightly in advance of the cutting edges of the die, and to restore the plate to such position during a stripping operation. The

Louis G. FreemanQJn, Cincinnati, Ohio, assis -non, by mesne assignments, to BenjaminW. Freespring pressure must be so adjusted as toaccommodate varying thicknesses-of leatheror material upon which 'the die is working; :anddifficul ties may arise'in' this connection, especiallywhen i marking edges are placed upon-thef,stripper.

Thus,'if the spring pressure is-adjusted tov mark and properly strip a lightdpiecewo'ficalf skin; it: would probably injure a thicker or heavier-piece, of leather. Obviously," when the material; thick, the stripper will be depressed more: by the material than would be the case with ,i hin leather". i KW;

Varying pressures re required with-diiferent characters of leatheryasps'well as with difierent thicknesses, and as the number ofcut out mr perforations in a piece of work is increased; the need for greater pressure likewise increases, and such pressures are Verydifficult of attainment, if not impossible, with conventional strippingtde vic'es nowinuse l i In the solution of these prob1ems,-the;machine and dies of said applicationsand the dieof the present application, contemplate a strippin mechanism, wherein the pressure -is-;applie d by means independent of the die or bymeans in;- dependent of any arrangement for applying ,a light printing or marking pressure to the mark-- ing elements. 1 a ,1;

As illustrated in themachine of the;aforesald applications, the pressurefor stripping purposes is obtained by buildings-a 1 pressure applying mechanism for strippin purposesinto the ma chine, as distinguished :from supplying each individual die with a self-contained completestripping mechanism. 1 The usual stripper plate mounted in advance of thecutting edges, may be retained on the die, and-thisplate may be provided with marking-edges "thereon, or a stripping medium separateirom the die may be pro: vided, and marking means independent thereof. supplied; in fact, the die may incorporate separate stripping and marking media, all-mounted inth'e dieunit.

A primary object of' the present invention is the'provision' of adie with a structural design-to co-operate with a pressure applying mechanism built into the machine, and-with a stripper plate yieldably mounted .for normal-location in advance of the cutting edges of, the die, but with amountmg of 'such a naturethat little or no pressure will be exerted on the plate, and hence on' the work until the'main stripping; pressure is applied.

In repairing or replacing cutter member's, stripper plates, andthe;-;l;i l;e, ,considerable 'time, and theuse of toolsisiusually required, and it-is To these ends, a novel mounting for the stripper is utilized, in which a, quickly detachable snap connection is provided between the stripper plate and its supporting studs, the supporting on principles somewhat similar to the die disclosed and claimed in my application, Serial No. 104,696, in that it has a relatively fixed section and a section adjustable with respect to the fixed section for accommodating the various shapes and sizes. In addition, the various die sections, including Supporting framework, posts, and base plate, are completely removable and interchangeable with respect to a master die having a base plate upon which the parts will be mounted.

It is customary in certain shoe factorie to make shoes from the same pattern for several seasons, but with a change in the perforating .and/or stitchmarking designs, the idea being to studs being mounted in the base of the die separately and independently of the stripper.?

The tube plate is arranged to be firmly latched to the base of the die, but in such a manner as to permit quick release.

A problem arises in the use of these dies, due to the fact that the work varies in size for a given run. Shoe parts are graded in accordance with the desired size of finished shoes, and because of the fact that the die must be fixed in predetermined relation to the work, it is evident that as the size of the work varies, the balanced relation between the ornamentation and thework will be upset, and out of proportion, unless some means is provided to accommodate the die to the work.

Again, the situation might arise wherein .it is desired to use the same die on work of. different shapes, even though the size of the shoes may remain constant, and under such circumstances, the position or location of the ornamentation on the work might vary.

Some shoe manufacturers have attempted to overcome these dimculties by employing a plurality of dies, one for an early portion of the run of graded work, and another for a later portion thereof, or one die for one style or shape of work, and a different die for another style work piece. This, however, places a burden on the manufacturer of keeping a number of dies on hand, with the attendant increase in the cost of the shoe.

Other efforts to properly locate the perforations or cutouts in the work have been attempted by the use of gauges which are adjustable to the produce different shoe styles without changing the base patterns, and another object contemplated by the instant invention is the provision ofa master die unit in which parts may be interchanged or replaced to produce the different designs. By the addition of new adjustable sections, different style shoes can be obtained, using the old base patterns of the master unit.

It is further contemplated that this master die will be adaptable to a plurality of different, interchangeable base patterns, and if under such circumstances where several base patterns are used, the fixed section of the die may bemade removable for replacement by a different fixed section which would conform to a different base pattern of the shoe.

The fixed sections may be attached to the master base plate by means of locking levers, and dowel pins to locate the sections in their exact positions, but are readily removable and interchangeable, as in the case of the adjustable sections, to take care of different styles, sizes and shapes of shoe-patterns. The movable sections are likewise readily removable by means of locatinglevers and dowel pins so that they likewise may be quickly changed.

Gauging means for locating the work and aligning the work on a work support with respect to the die are conventionally used, and this gauging means may take the form of edge gauges, masks, pins, or the like. For purposes of illustration herein, a master work supporting, gauge plate having an edge gauge thereon, is shown and described.

When one of the die sections is substituted for 5 another section, or when a different shape or exact positioning of the die in the machine is of small moment,'other than the need for alignment, of the die to the workpiece, but in the present instance the die will bear a peculiar coordinatiom 'with the machine, in order that the stripping pressures, obtained from movable parts of the machine, may be accurately and adequately applied to the proper parts of the die, and if the die is made adjustable, or with any portion shiftable with respect to the die support of the machine, there is danger, with conventional adjustable dies, that the pressure mechanism will not properly function, and breakage may result.

It is then an important object of the present invention to provide a simple means for adjusting a die of the type described, but in which the adjustment can be efiected, and the desired results obtainedQWithOut in any manner detracting from the capabilities and advantageous features heretofore mentioned.

The die described is constructed and operated type or Work is to be treated from that of a previous run, it is then necessary to substitute another gauge which will conform to the new pattern. This heretofore would necessitate the maintenance of a series of gauges, and the same general objection arises as would be the case with themaintenance or" a series of different dies.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a gauging means which can be adjusted and provided with interchangeable gauging elements for use in conjunction with the master die, and cooperate fully therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, a master gauge plate to be used in conjunction with a master die is shown and described, this master plate being provided with interchangeable and quickly removable edge gauging means. It is so constructed that any gauges that are made for the plate Will fit and conform accurately to the fixed section on the master die. As a mode of attaching the gauge, the plate may utilize two fixedlugs, and a third lug removable by means of an eccentric, and the gauge may be notched or recessed such that when it is in its proper location, thelugs and the recesses will fit accurately, and the gauge located in accurate position.

By moving the eccentric and the movable lug, such lug may be positioned in or out of its respective recess. A clamp may be attached to the two fixed lugs,in order to keep the gauge from moving upwardly or away from the gauge plate,

the gauge being inserted under the clamps when they are pushed into their proper position.

The gauge plate will, of course, be provided with an opening or cut away to permit passage of the cutting elements of the die therethrough, and this opening will be of an area sufficientxto clear any and all'types of designs. l 1 l To the attainment of theforegoing, and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may bem'adeto the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the die plate in assembled relation;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is abottom plan view of the die taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3,-but with th marking elements of the die removed. 1

Fig. 5 is a section taken on theline 5-5 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 6 is'a section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1. 1 i

Fig. 7 is asection taken on line 7-! of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a detail.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the gauge late with the gauge removed.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the edge gauge, and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of. the latch for securing the edge gauge to the gauge plate Referring now more particularly to the drawand gauge ings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts, it will be seen that such parts of the machine as are necessary to show the operation of the die, have been illustrated. r l The die carriage A Which houses the mechanism for applying stripping pressures, carries die unit B, in operative relation to the worksupport C. The die carriage A is in the'form of a hollow block reinforced internally by struts l5, any desired number of which may be utilized. Extending transversely of the interior of the carriage is a pressure plate |5, -the ends of which project laterally through the sidewalls :of the die carriage A, whichare cut away topermit movement of this plate up and down withinthecarriage. This plate It carries a series of headed studs ll on its lower side and these studs ride in suitable openguideways in the heavy base block 18 of the die carriage. A series of heavysprings l9 are located between the upper side of the plate l6 and the innerside of the top wall ofthe' housing or carriage -A, these springs being. normally tensioned to maintain the plate 16 in such aposition that the ends of the studs ll are substantially flush with the bottom, outer surface of the block l8. a 4 i In the illustrated embodiment, the work support C is a vertically movable plunger arranged to press the Work upwardly against the die,- thus efiecting the ornamenting operation on the work. The die carriage A is laterally movable, i; e., from a forward operating position over the work supporting plunger, to a rearward, inoperative position where the die will be out of the way when an operator is adjusting or replac ng the work.

Posts 20 mounted on the work support C (Fig. 6) are positioned to engage the extending ends of the plate [6 as the plunger or work support rises; preferably at each corner thereof, thereby raising the plate against the resistance of the springs l9, and at the same time lifting the studs I! upwardly within their guides. These posts 20 may be adjusted, as to height, for the purpose of regulating themovement of the plate I6, this adjustment afiording a means for controlling the compression of the springs-l9, andfhence the downward pressure applied to the plate I6.

The posts mayberubber-surfaced if desired, to minimize shock upon engagement of the plate l6 and if desired, may be connected across the ends of the work support C by bars 2 l i The die unitB, in the form illustrated, comprises a base plate 22,: by means of which the unit is secured to the base block I8 of the die carriage. Lugs 23may. be provided to guide the die, and to preventssp'ringing'ofxthe die when in use. A dovetail'wedgefl and .an upstanding perforatedlug or ear 25may be.utilized on the plate 22 (Figs.2 and 6) to cooperate with suitable locking'means (not shown) on the base I 8, and thereby be accurately positioned and secured in the machine.

Thedie unit B is composed of two major sections,"one of whichD, is mounted in fixedrelationship to the plate 22, andthe other of which E, is mounted for sliding movement on'the plate 22, being carried by l a sub-base plate slidable in guides 26. With this arrangement, as hereinafter described, position of the section E may be varied with respect to the fixed section D.

The section D, as illustrated, comprises a die block '21 (Fig. 7 secured to a'plate 29 by means of struts or sleeves 28. A single block might well be used in lieu of the plates 21 and 29, but for economy in manufacture, reduction in weight, as well as facility in adjusting or varyingthe height of the die unit, the spaced plates are preferable. The base plate 22 is perforatedwith openings so proportioned and positioned as to extendzacross I the pressure stud 11. This insures passage of the studs 36 and 48 through the plate 22 into the base block l8 atpoints only where suflicient clearance is provided. The size, location and number of perforations in the plate 22 make possible the interchangeable use of unlimited sections required to mark and/or ornament various styles and sizes of shoe parts and in each instance with proper and complete stripping results. Normally the studs 36 and 48 extendbeyond the plate 29 by an amount equal to the thickness of the base plate 22. l

, This die in the illustrated embodiment does not carry any perforating tubes or cutters, but might readily do so by the addition thereto of a tube or cutter plate in the same mafmer as is illustrated in the die section E.

The die unit D is detachably mounted upon the base plate'22-a pair of latches 30 being provided for the purpose. These latches consists of pivoted L-shaped arms, one end 3| of which is adapted to snap over an end of the plate 29, the latches being mounted upon the base plate 22.

A marking die consisting of a plate '34 carrying printing or marking ribs .35 is resiliently mounted in the die unit D by means of studs 36 which slide through the plates 21, 29 and 22, the marker 34 being normally projected away from the plate 21 by means of springs 31 which encircle the studs 36 between the plates 2land 29. the studs 35 which engage the marker Mare split to form snap fasteners, whereby the marker may be quickly detached from the die unit. The operation of the die unit thus far described will be readily apparent from the foregoing description.

The ends of When the die unit is secured in operating position on the plate 22, and the plate locked in position on the base H! of the die carriage, the location of the inner ends of the pins or studs 36 will be such-that they are opposed to the outer ends of the guides for the pressure studs ll, the latter'being of much greater cross-sectional area than the pins 36 and so distributed throughout the base l8 as to permit a wide leeway to the diemaker in locating the pins or studs 36.

' Aszthe studs I! move upwardly or away from. the die'because of pressure against'the plate l6, during the upward movement of the work. support plunger 1C and posts 20, clearance will be aiforded beneath the heads of the studs I! for theupper ends of the pins 36 on the marker 34. Little or no pressure is required for marking, and consequently when there is relative movement between the'plunger C and the die'carriage A toward each other, the marking elements 35 will touch the work lightly, yielding toward the cutting elements under continued pressure. It will be understood, that when a marking medium such as ink is-used, it will have been applied to the marking elements at a proper point in the cycle of operations, and it will be further understood :that the springs 31 are made relatively light in strength such as to offer substantially no resistance to the work during the movement betweenthe work support and die.

The springs 31- are, of course, much lighter than the springs 19, being designed primarily to provide merely the requisitepressure for proper printing or marking without mutilating or otherwise injuring the work,'whereas the springs l9 are designed to provide the pressure necessary to strip the work from cutting elements of the die.

After an ornamenting operation has been per formed on the Work, the work support C and carriage A separate, whereupon the springs l9 will push the plate l6 and studs l1 toward the die unit and against the projecting ends of the pins 36 thereby causing the marker to assist in stripping the work from the die E, if this is thought desirable. If so desirable, the length of the pins 36'ca'n be made such as never to engage the studs l1.

Since the die section D is detachable from the base plate 22, it may be replaced with any other die section offering a change in pattern,

The arrangement thus far described works very satisfactory for a given portion of a run of shoes, but when it is desired to make one die accommodate all sizes of a run, it i necessary that some adjustments between various portions of the die be provided.

To this end the adjustable die section E is provided. This section is quite similar in structure to the die section B, except that cutting means have been provided in addition to amarking means, and the entire section is mounted upon ,a sub-base plate 38for sliding movement on die carriage A. A cutter or tube plate 40 in this section, carrying appropriate tubes and/or cutters 42, is detachably mounted on the die block 39, suitable guide pins being provided to insure accurate placements thereof. As a convenient mode of attaching the tube plate, latches 4! similar to the latches 39 will be pivoted to the die block 39 to snap over the edges of the tube plate 46. With this arrangement the tube plate can be removed from its die section. I

The die block 39 of the unit E will be suitably perforated beneath the tubes or cutting members 42 to permit discharge of chips or cuttings. In addition to the detachability ofthe tube plate from the die section E, the section itself is also mounted for detachment from the base plate 22. But it must also be mounted forsliding movement on the base plate and to this-end the subbase plate 38, arranged to slide in the guides 26 is interposed between the base plate 22 and the plate 44 which forms the bottom wall of the die section.

The die section Ein its entirety is latched to the sub-base plate 38 by means of latches 43 pivoted on the sub-base plate 38 in position to snap or swing over the ends'ofthe plate 44 which corresponds to the plate 29 of the unit D. This plate, as in the unit D, is secured to its die block 39 by sleeves or struts 45.

A combined marking die and stripper plate consisting of a plate 46 having marking ribs 41 is resiliently mounted in the die section by slidable pins or studs 48 which are resiliently mounted, and split at their ends for detachment of the plate 46, just as in the case of the plate 34. This plate operates in the same manner as the marker 34, except that after the marking ribs 41 have engaged the work, the marking operation will be followed by the cutting out step as further relative movement occurs between the work support and die. Stripping of the work from the tubes 42 will be effected by the studs l1 engaging the pins 48 under pressure of the springs l9 and pressure plate l6.

To adjust the section E toward and from the section D, there is provided a crank handle 49 pivotally'mounted on the base plate 22 and having its offset inner end pivoted toa link 50 which in turn is pivoted to the sub-base plate 38. Mounted upon the front or outeredge of the base plate 22 is an arcuate end piece 5| which may be calibrated in shoe sizes and notched along its edge to correspond with the calibrations. The crank 49 carries a resilient detent or spring pressed pawl 52 cooperative with the notches in the end piece. Movement of the crank about the end piece will be effective to push or pull the die section E along the guideways 26, whereupon the proper adjustment may be made between the sections E and D to accommodate the desired section of the work.

Substantial leeway is aiforded the die-maker by the relative difference in cross-sectional area between the studs and the pins 36-48, and if one portion of a die is moved with relation to a fixed portion as in the case of the relative movement between the sections D and E there is no chance that the pins 36-48 would strike a solid part; of the block 18, with resultant breakage, or unsatisfactory operation, as steps are taken to care for the problem by having the base plate 22 mounted in fixed relation'to the die carriage, and the die section E made adjustable on the fixed base plate, by use of the sub-base plate.

The base plate 22 andthe sub-base plate 38 are of course perforated to permit passage of the studs 36 and 48 into the base block l8 beneath the pressure applying studs 11. The pins 36 and 48 normally extend beyond the plate 44 a distance equal to the combined thickness of the base plate 22 and the sub-base plate 38, thereby extendin into theopenings formed by the perforations 55 and 56. Since the base plate 22 will always bear a fixed relation to the'die carriage, when the die is in the machine, it is possible to make the perforations 55 thereof of such a'size and in such a location that they will always extend across the pressure studs H. The perforations 56 in the sub-base plate 38 will be so proportionedand positioned as to extend at least partially; across the perforations 55 in all positions of. adjustment of the die. This insures vertical movement of the studs 36 and 48 in the plates Hand 38, and into the base block 18 at points only .where sufiicient stripping pressure is provided irrespective of the position of the die in its various adjustments to accommodate. difierentpatterns, sizes and widths of the work.

The size and location of the stud lland the perforations 55 and 56 allows for a wide range of movement and positioning of the pins. and. 48 making possible the interchangeable use of unlimited sections, the use of which may become necessary in the ornamentation of various styles and sizes of shoe parts and with the work following the ornamentation being all instances properly stripped. r

The sub-base plate 38 is provided with a notch 51 shaped and proportioned for free operation of the lever 49 and link 50 therewithin. After adjustment, the operation of the section E is of course the same as, and simultaneous with that of section D, the marking and stripping plate 46 co-operating with the cutting means 42.

It is, of course, essential that some means be provided for accurately locating the work with respect to the die, and to this end, it is conventional to equip the die unit, or the work support with gauging means, whichmay take any, of a variety of forms, such as masks with gauging edges, abutment gauges, pin gauges, or the like. In the present instance, an edge gauge of the abutment type, mounted on the work support is e illustrated.

When several designs are interchangeably used with a single base pattern, as heretofore described, the same gauge can be used, so longas only the movable section of the die is replaced. However, when the fixed section is removed and replaced with a diiferent fixed section which would conform to a difierent base pattern, then it is necessary to substitute another gaugewhich would conform to the new pattern, and in order to avoid the need for a plurality of work supporting plates each with its own gauge, it is an:- other feature of this invention to provide amaster gauge plate to be used in conjunction with the master die, but so constructed that the gauging portions may be changed to fit and conform ac;- curately with the various interchangeable, fixed sections for the master die.

To this end, there is provided a master gauge and work supporting plate 60 which will be mounted on the work supporting plunger C.

Suitably located means such as dowel pins,.or 7

their equivalent, are usually provided on the plunger and the plate 60 will be perforated, as at 6|, for the'reception thereof. The plate '60 will be cut away or provided with an opening 62 in a 5 manner to clear the marking elements and permit passage of thecutting edges of the die there- .through, including the largest size dies that might be interchangeably used, it being understood that the plunger C may be surfaced beneath the plate in a conventional manner with a mate- I rial softer than the cutters, such as brass, and

that the usual backing material will be fed beneath the plate 60 and opening Q2 toinsure a clean perforation, as well as protect and prevent dulling of the cutting edges. Also aspring clip '63 may be provided to clamp or hold the work accurately in its aligned position.

The gauge proper comprise an abutment member 64 having a gaugingedge 6 5 shaped to conform toan edge of the work which is being treated, and a shoulder 56 of a height equal to the thickness of the plate 6!) to insure that the gauge rests flush within the opening 62. This shoulder may be formed by riveting a separate piece of the .material from which the plate 60 is made to the under side of the abutment member 64, as indicated by the rivet 61, or the shoulder 66 may be formed by mach'ining, or the gauging edge can be made in any suitable manner or of such thickness that the work cannot be made to extend under the gauge, beyond the gauging edge 65.

FL-"which is housed together with the bar 14 in a housing 86, is also mounted on the plate 60 substantially in opposed relation to the fixed projection 10, and the abutment member 64 is notched, as at 16, to receive the end of the bar when same is actuated against the pressure of the spring 11 into engagement with the abutment member. It will thus be seen that the projections 10 andll, together with the bar 14 serve to secure the abutment gauge against sliding movement in any direction. ,Spring fingers 18 and'lfl mounted on the lug 68and 69 are effectivetohold the abutrnent gaugeagainst the master plate 60.

To' apply the gauge to the plate, it is merely necessary to release the bar '14 and slide the gauge beneath the spring fingers I8 and 19, whereupon a flick of the eccentric 15 will lock it in place.'

From the foregoing, the operation and advantages of the improved die unit, including its gauge plate will be readily understood. Having selected the desiredpattern, the proper fixed die section, as well as the adjustable die section will be attached to the master die base plate 22, and the die placed in the machine. A gauge conforming to the fixed die section will be secured to the master gauge plate 60, and the plate likewise mounted in the machine. Adjustment of the die for a change in size can be effected with- "out removing the die from the machine by means of. the crank or handle 49. When it is desired to vary the pattern of ornamentation or marking, without however changing the base pat- .tern, the adjustable dissection can be readily removed and a different one substituted therefor without any replacement in the fixed die section for the gauge. When the basic pattern is to be changed, this can be accomplished by removing "the'fixed die section and/or the adjustable die section, together with the gauge, and it is only necessary fora manufacturer to keepin stock inserts, i. e., die sections and gauges, and he does not have to replace his master gauge plate nOr his master die parts. J In theevent that it is necessary or desirable tlo' 'repair or replace any of the die elements, i. e., the tubes; cutters, or marking elements, these fbeingf'all quickly detachable, may. be removed and insertedwith a minimum of expense, time and labor.

. In other words, one complete die serves for all sizes and for a wide variety of patterns. Again, the original cost of the master base is the only real cost as replacement or changes in pattern merely require an individual unit.

a This die construction'permits the use of ad- 'sizes and patterns.

All of the advantages of the aforesaid applications are retained, in that the springs for the marker plates are designed primarily to provide merely the requisite pressure for proper printing or marking of the work, without multilating or otherwise injuring the work, while at the same time the structure of this invention permits the application of pressure in any desired degree for stripping purposes in a die which is adjustable.

It is to be understood that the particular em-- bodiment of the invention 'as described herein is intended as illustrative;rather than limiting, and that many'modil ications within the scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the arrangement of the die, and its relation to the machine in which it is to be used maybe such. as to cut and/or mark upwardly instead of downwardly; the relative movement between the die carriage and the work support may be obtained by moving the die toward a fixed work support; instead of sliding the die: laterally into and out of its operative position, the work support itself may slide; if the die is arranged to cut upwardly the work supporting plate may be attached to the die structure by means of a yieldable mounting.

Further, it is contemplated that the fixed die section may be omitted entirely, in the event that it is found desirable to have a single adiu'stable die section which could be associated mentin'g die comprising a master plate cooperative with a dieunit and provided with an opening for passage of the die unit through the plate, said master platealso being provided with work gauging means projecting into said opening and having edge gauging portions of such a thickness that the space below said edges is less than the thickness of the work, said gauging means being removably secured ltO said plate and interchangeable with other gauging means of difierent pattern, whereby when one die unit is replaced by another, the gauging means may be replaced on the plate by another conforming to the new die unit.

2. A gauge for use in aligning work to an ornamenting die, comprising a'mast'er plate cooperative with a die unit and provided with an opening for passage of the die unit through the plate, said master plate alsob'eing provided withwork gauging means projecting into said opening and having edge gauging portions of such a thickness that the'space below said edges is less than the thickness of the work, said gauging means being removably secured to said plate and interchangeable with other gauging means of different pattern, whereby when one die unit is replaced by another, the gauging means may be replaced on the plate by another conforming to the new die unit, and quickly releasable means to removably secure said gauging means to said plate.

3. A gauge for use in aligning work to an ornamenting die, comprising a master plate cooperative with a die unit and provided with an opening for passage of the'die unit through the plate and to clear the marking elements of the die, said master plate also being provided with work gauging means, including an abutment gauge projecting into said opening and having edge gauging portions of such a thickness that the space below said edges is less than the thickness of the work, said gauge being removably secured to said plate and interchangeable with other gauging means of difierent pattern, whereby when one die unit is replaced by another the gauging means may be replaced on the plate by another conforming to the new die unit, and

quickly releasable means to removably secure said gauging means to said plate comprising a plurality of position locating lugs,'and means to move one of said lugs into and out of engagement with said abutment gauge;

' 4. A gauge for use in aligning work to an ornamenting die, comprising a master plate cooperative with a die unit andprovided with an opening for passage of the die unit through the plate and to clear the marking elements of the die, said master plate also being provided with work gauging means removably secured to said plate and interchangeable with other gauging means of dlfierent pattern, whereby when one die unit is replaced by another the gauging means may be replaced on the plate by another conforming to the new die unit, and quickly releasable means to removably secure said gauging means to said plate, said gauging means consisting of an abutment gauge projectin into said opening and having an edge shaped to conform with a predetermined characteristic of the work with portions of the edge of such a thickness that the space below said edge portions is less than the thickness of the work, and the securing means for said gauging means comprising a plurality of position locating lugs, notches in said abutment gauge to receive said lugs, and means to move one of said lugs into and out of engagement with its notch.

5. A gauge for use in aligning work to an ornamenting die, comprising a master plate cooperative with a die unit and provided with an opening for passage of the die unit through the plate, said plate also being provided with an abutment gauge projecting into said opening and havingedge gauging portions of such a thickness that the space below such edges is less than the thickness of the work, said abutment gauge being removably secured to said plate and interchangeable with other gauging means of dlfierent pattern, whereby when one die unit is replaced by another, the abutment gauge may be replaced on the plate by another conforming to the new die section, and quickly releasable means to removably secure said abutment gauge to said plate against movement in any direction.

6. Aga'uge for use in aligning work to an ornamenting die, comprising a master plate cooperative with a die unit and provided with an opening fior passage of the die unit through the plate,

die section, quickly releasable means to removably secure said abutment gauge to said plate against movement in any direction, said securing means comprising a plurality of lugs engageable with the edge of the abutment auge, and fingers positioned to extend across the outer surface of the abutment gauge. p

7. A gauge for use in aligning work to an ornamenting die, comprising a master plate cooperative with a die unit and provided with an opening for passage. of th die unit through the plate, said plate also being provided with an abutment gauge projecting into said opening, and having a shoulder of such height that the under surface of the gauge will lie flush with the adjacent surface of the plate, said abutment gauge being removably secured to said plate and interchangeable with other gauging means of different pattern, whereby when one die unit is replaced by another, the abutment gauge may be replaced on the plate by another gauge conforming to the new die section, and quickly releasable means to removably secure the abutment gauge to said plate against movement in any direction.

LOUIS G. FREEMAN, JR. 

